Foldable table and attachment therefor.



` H. P. THOMAS. FOLDABLE TABLE AND ATTACHMENT THEREFOR.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR.11, 1909.

. Patented Feb. L 19M).

2 SHEETS-HEBT 1.

NEN/WF? THoM/m.,

, l l Arronmfrs v H. P. THOMAS. FOLDABLE TABLE AND ATTAGHMENT THEREFOR.

m APPLIUATION FILED MAB-11,19o9. l l

9 l Q l U Patented Feb. 1, X910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2'.

WITH/8855 WNT'TE HENRY IE. THOMAS, F NATRONA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FOLIDABLE TABLE AND ATTACHMENT THEREFOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 11, 1909.

Patented Feb. 1, 1910. Serial No. 482,680.

To all whom it may concer/1t:

Be it known that I, HENRY F. THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Natrona, in the county of Allegheny, State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improve` ment in Foldable Tables and Attachments Therefor, of which the following is a specilication.

My invention relates to an improvement in foldable legs for tables and in a foldable pedal attachment for such legs.

The invention is particularly designed for use with tables, or like supports, for portable foldable dark-rooms used for phoi tographic purposes, but I desire it under stood that I do not restrict the invention to such use.

The details of construction, combination, and operation of parts are as hereinafter described and claimed, the same being illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which* Figure l is a vertical section of the table with pedal attachment, a portion of a foldi able dark-room being shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the table proper. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the table legs and pedal attachment in the folded position. Fig. 4 is' a perspective view illustrating the pedal attachment in position for use.

Referring in the first place particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the numeral 1 indicates the table-top, which is shown as rect-angular and oblong. A leg 2 is hinged, at 3, to the one end of the table top, and two legs 4 are similarly hinged, at 5, to the other end of the same. The legs are thus adapted to fold inward, the leg 2 being of such form and dimensions that when folded it lies between the legs 4, as indicated in Fig. 3, so that both legs then lie parallel to the table top 1 and hence occupy the least possible space. The legs 4 are rigidly connected by cross-bars 6, which are applied on the outer lock 9 is provided for the stay 7, the same consisting of a plate spring which is secured to the underside of the table-top and its free end arranged in contact with the guide-rod 8, adjacent to the block 10, in which the latter is supported. The upper end of the stay is thus adapted to slide under the free end of the spring catch, and is then autoniatically engaged by the same when the leg 2 is open to the fullest extent, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. The stays 11, with which the legs 4 are provided, are similarly attached and arranged, and their upper ends run on guide rods 8, and are locked, when the legs are open, by means of catches 9a, as in the case of stay 7 and catch 9. In order to fold the legs 2 and 4, it is necessary to press the spring catches 9 and 9a upward to release the stays 7 and l1, which then slide along the guide-rods 8, 8EL (as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1), and then lie parallel and close to the rods, as will be readily understood. They are adapted for this function by reason of the angle at which the upper ends of the stays are bent, as shown in Fig. 2. The table-top with legs att-ached and adapted to be extended and folded in the manner described, is particularly adapted for use with a portable dark-room, since it is light, very compact, and may be easily and quickly extended or folded, as required.

The pedal attachment is applied to one of the legs 4 as indicated in Figs. 1, 3, 4. It is shown in the operative position in Figs. 1 and 4, and in folded position in Fig. 3. The pedal proper is formed of a stout iron rod bent into the form of an oblong rectangle, and the extension 12a, which is hinged to its outerl end, has a similar shape and construction. Such pedal 12 is pivoted on a rod 13, which is bent at a right angle, one leg of the same being pivoted in a long keeper, or socket, 14, that is rigidly attached to one of the legs 4 adjacent to the side and lower end of the same. The entire pedal attachment is thus adapted to be swung on the pintle, or pivot, thus provided. Thus, the same may be turned inward and folded in the position shown in Fig. 3, where the parts l2, 12a, lie one within the other and flat upon the leg 2, thus occupying minimum space. When the pedal is required for use, the attachment 12, 12a, is turned outward on the pintle 13, into the position indicated in Figs. 1 and 4, in which the pedal proper, 12, projects toward the opposite leg 2. A

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strap 12b is attached to the pedal extension 12*L and eXtends upward, and is connected with a lever forming an attachment of the dark-room proper, and serving particularly as a support for a foldable hood secured to f the upper .side of the dark-room proper.

The dark-room and the hood attachment form the subject of another application for Letters Patent #405,306, which was filed September 28, 1908 and is the invention of Christian Burr and myself.

When the operator desires to utilize the hood oir the dark-room, he stands in Jfront of that end of the table to which the legs l are applied, and depresses the pedal 12 with his foot, whereby the hood is raised to the position required.

It is obvious that the pedal attachment might be employed for othel` uses, as for instance to operate a portable lnelodeon.

lVhat claim is:

The combination, with a table top and a oldable leg hinged thereto, of a pedal attachment comprising an angular pintle extended lengthwise on the leg and pivoted, whereby it is adapted to swing laterally, and a pedal proper hinged on the lateral arm oi? the said pintle, whereby it is adapted to be operated in a vertical plane when the pintle is swung to the required position, as shown and described.

HENRY F. THOMAS.

lVitnesses S. H. ALLEN, JAS. S. SwAnTz. 

